outrageously

outrageously — adverb

1. in a way, or to an extent, that seems so extreme, rude, strange, or unfair that

1.adverbC1
Definition

in a way, or to an extent, that seems so extreme, rude, strange, or unfair that it shocks people.

Example

The hotel charged outrageously high prices for toast and black coffee.

outrageously + adjective for excessive price

At lunch, Ben behaved outrageously toward the new waitress.

verb + outrageously for offensive behaviour

Common collocations
  • outrageously expensive
  • outrageously high prices
  • behave outrageously
  • outrageously cruel joke
  • outrageously unfair
Synonyms
  • shockingly

    close in meaning, but focuses more directly on surprise

  • scandalously

    stronger and more moral in tone; often suggests public anger

  • absurdly

    stresses foolish excess more than offense

  • offensively

    narrower; mainly about insulting words or behaviour

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

outrageously + adjective

verb + outrageously

outrageously + past participle

Usage Note

Often appears before adjectives such as 'expensive', 'rude', 'high', or 'unfair'. With verbs like 'behave', 'speak', or 'laugh', it usually marks behaviour that breaks normal social limits, not simply strong feeling.

Common Mistakes

The soup was outrageously delicious.
The soup was unbelievably delicious.
'outrageously' usually suggests something shocking, rude, unfair, or excessive, not simply very good.
The baby slept outrageously in the car.
The baby slept quietly in the car.
'outrageously' is used for shocking or excessive manner, not any ordinary way of doing something.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

These adverbs overlap, but they point to slightly different reactions. 'Outrageously' is broad and often describes something that goes far beyond what people think is normal or acceptable, such as prices, jokes, clothes, or behaviour. 'Shockingly' focuses more on the surprise itself and can even be used for neutral facts. 'Scandalously' is stronger and often suggests moral anger or public disapproval. 'Absurdly' stresses foolish excess, especially with size, cost, or amount. 'Offensively' is narrower and usually describes words or actions that insult people. Compare: a cafe can charge outrageously high prices, a rumor can be shockingly false, a rule can seem scandalously unfair, and a student can speak offensively to a teacher.

outrageously ↗shockinglyscandalouslyabsurdly ↗offensively

Common collocations

Phrases

  • outrageously expensive
  • outrageously unfair
  • behave outrageously
  • outrageously high prices

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Built from the adjective 'outrageous' and the adverb ending '-ly'. 'Outrageous' came into English through Old French from a word linked to the idea of going beyond proper limits or measure. That older sense of crossing the line still shows in modern English, where something outrageous feels far outside what people think is acceptable.